Switching regulator and method for changing output voltages thereof

ABSTRACT

A switching regulator including two switching elements and a control switching part. The two switching elements perform a switching operation according to a control signal to control an output voltage. One of the two switching elements is larger in ON-resistance and smaller in control electrode capacitance than the other. The control switching part performs PFM control over the one of the two switching elements to output a first predetermined voltage in a first operation mode, performs PWM control over the two switching elements to output a second predetermined voltage higher than the first predetermined voltage in a second operation mode, and switches the first operation mode to the second operation mode by performing the PFM control, changing the first predetermined voltage to the second predetermined voltage, and switching the PFM control to the PWM control after a first predetermined time elapses since start of increase in the output voltage.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a switching regulator and its method forchanging an output voltage used in such devices as mobile devices, andparticularly to a switching regulator and its method for changing anoutput voltage and reducing an overshoot voltage generated when theoutput voltage is increased.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In recent years, there has been a demand for energy conservation toprotect the environment. In the manufacture of battery-driven devicessuch as mobile phones and digital cameras, increased importance isplaced on the reduction of electricity consumed by the battery-drivendevices in order to extend a battery life. For this reason, anon-insulative step-down switching regulator including an inductor(hereinafter referred to simply as switching regulator) is widely usedas a power supply circuit because of high-efficiency and ability to bedownsized. Although the switching regulator is highly efficient whenconnected to a rated load, the amount of current consumed by theswitching regulator is relatively large. Therefore, when the deviceconnected to the switching regulator is in a light-load driving modesuch as a stand-by state and a sleep-mode state, the efficiency of theswitching regulator is substantially reduced.

In light of the above, the Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No.2002-300774, for example, discloses a method of reducing the electricityconsumed in the switching regulator by switching from a PWM (pulse widthmodulation) control to a PFM (pulse frequency modulation) control in thelight-load driving mode, so that the switching frequency decreases toimprove the efficiency of the switching regulator in the light-loaddriving mode.

An exemplary background switching regulator according to the abovedisclosure is illustrated in FIG. 1. The switching regulator 100 of FIG.1 includes a PWM control circuit (PWMC) 101, a PFM control circuit(PFMC) 102, a switching element 103 driven by the PWM control circuit101, a switching element 104 driven by the PFM control circuit 102, anoscillation circuit (OSC) 105, an error amplifier circuit (EAC) 106, areference voltage source 107, an inductor La, a diode Da, a capacitorCa, and resistors Ra and Rb. The switching regulator 100 receives aninput voltage from a direct current power source BAT and outputs anoutput voltage to a load LO.

In normal operation, the PFM control circuit 102 stops operation, andthe PWM control circuit 101 operates to perform an ON/OFF control of theswitching element 103. Meanwhile, in the light-load driving mode, thePWM control circuit 101 stops operation, and the PFM control circuit 102operates to perform an ON/OFF control of the switching element 104.

Since a relatively large amount of current flows through the switchingelement 103, which is used when the PWM control is performed, theswitching element 103 is designed to be increased in size to reduce anON-resistance thereof. The increase in size of the switching element103, however, also increases a gate capacitance thereof.

When the amount of current supplied to the load (hereinafter referred toas load current) is relatively large, efficiency loss of the switchingregulator is mainly due to the ON-resistance of the switching elementused in the switching regulator. On the other hand, when the amount ofthe load current is relatively small, the efficiency loss of theswitching regulator is mainly caused by charging and discharging of thegate capacitance of the switching element used in the switchingregulator. Therefore, the switching element 104 used under the PFMcontrol is reduced in size to have a relatively large ON-resistance buta relatively small gate capacitance, so that the efficiency of theswitching regulator is improved.

However, when the switching regulator is designed to change the outputvoltage output therefrom such that the output voltage is switched from arelatively low voltage value to a relatively high voltage valueaccording to a voltage setting signal, an overshoot voltage isgenerated, as observed in FIG. 2. The overshoot voltage causes a changein the output voltage. In addition, the overshoot voltage is increasedwhen a switching regulator having a relatively large ON-resistance isswitched to a switching regulator having a relatively smallON-resistance.

Further, the light-load driving mode in which the load current is smallin amount is, in many cases, the sleep-mode state or the stand-by statewherein a load circuit such as a CPU (central processing unit), whichuses the switching regulator 100 as a power supply circuit thereof, isstopped in operation. In this light-load driving mode, an operatingvoltage for the load circuit may be reduced to be lower than anoperating voltage applied in a normal driving mode. Therefore, it iscommon that the output voltage output from the switching regulator islowered to reduce the load current.

When switching is made from the light-load driving mode to the normaldriving mode, however, if a control mode of the switching regulator isswitched from the PFM control to the PWM control, and at the same time,if the output voltage is changed from a relatively low voltage to arelatively high voltage, a relatively large overshoot voltage isgenerated, causing adverse affects on the CPU and other circuits.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention provides a switching regulator. In one example, aswitching regulator includes two switching elements and a controlswitching part. Each of the two switching elements is configured toperform a switching operation in accordance with a control signal inputtherein to control output of an output voltage. One of the two switchingelements is larger in ON-resistance and smaller in control electrodecapacitance than the other of the two switching elements. The controlswitching part is configured to perform pulse-frequency-modulationcontrol over the one of the two switching elements to output a firstpredetermined voltage in a first operation mode, to performpulse-width-modulation control over the two switching elements to outputa second predetermined voltage higher than the first predeterminedvoltage in a second operation mode, and to switch the first operationmode to the second operation mode by performing thepulse-frequency-modulation control, increasing the output voltage fromthe first predetermined voltage to the second predetermined voltage, andswitching the pulse-frequency-modulation control to thepulse-width-modulation control upon elapse of a first predetermined timeafter start of increase in the output voltage.

The invention further provides another switching regulator. In oneexample, this switching regulator includes an input terminal configuredto receive an input voltage, and an output terminal configured to outputa predetermined constant voltage as an output voltage to an externalload. The switching regulator further includes first and secondswitching elements and a control switching part. The first switchingelement is configured to perform a switching operation in accordancewith a second control signal input in a control electrode thereof tocontrol output of the output voltage. The second switching element isconfigured to be larger in ON-resistance and smaller in controlelectrode capacitance than the first switching element, and to perform aswitching operation in accordance with a first control signal input in acontrol electrode thereof to control output of the output voltage. Thecontrol switching part is configured to perform thepulse-frequency-modulation control over the second switching element tooutput a first predetermined voltage as the output voltage in a firstoperation mode, to perform the pulse-width-modulation control over thefirst and second switching elements to output a second predeterminedvoltage higher than the first predetermined voltage as the outputvoltage in a second operation mode, and to switch the first operationmode to the second operation mode by performing thepulse-frequency-modulation control, increasing the output voltage fromthe first predetermined voltage to the second predetermined voltage, andswitching the pulse-frequency-modulation control to thepulse-width-modulation control upon elapse of a first predetermined timeafter start of increase in the output voltage.

The switching regulator may further include a dummy load configured toserve as a pseudo load through which a predetermined current flows. Thecontrol switching part may be configured to connect the dummy load tothe output terminal for a second predetermined time upon elapse of thefirst predetermined time.

In the switching regulator, the control switching part may include apulse-width-modulation control circuit, a pulse-frequency-modulationcontrol circuit, a switching circuit, and a control circuit. Thepulse-width-modulation control circuit may be configured to perform thepulse-width-modulation control over the first switching element, and thepulse-frequency-modulation control circuit may be configured to performthe pulse-frequency-modulation control over the second switchingelement. The switching circuit may be configured to control output ofthe first control signal from the pulse-frequency-modulation controlcircuit and the second control signal from the pulse-width-modulationcontrol circuit to the control electrode of the second switchingelement. The control circuit may be configured to stop, in the firstoperation mode, operation of the pulse-width-modulation control circuitand cause the switching circuit to exclusively output the first controlsignal from the pulse-frequency-modulation control circuit to the secondswitching element. Further, the control circuit may be configured tooperate, in the second operation mode, the pulse-width-modulationcontrol circuit and cause the switching circuit to exclusively outputthe second control signal from the pulse-width-modulation controlcircuit to the second switching element. Furthermore, the controlcircuit may be configured to stop, in switching from the first operationmode to the second operation mode, the operation of thepulse-width-modulation control circuit, increase the output voltage fromthe first predetermined voltage to the second predetermined voltagewhile causing the switching circuit to exclusively output the firstcontrol signal from the pulse-frequency-modulation control circuit tothe second switching element, and operate the pulse-width-modulationcontrol circuit and cause the switching circuit to exclusively outputthe second control signal from the pulse-width-modulation controlcircuit to the second switching element upon elapse of the firstpredetermined time after the start of increase in the output voltage.

The switching regulator may further include a dummy load configured toserve as a pseudo load through which a predetermined current flows. Thecontrol circuit may be configured to connect the dummy load to theoutput terminal for a second predetermined time upon elapse of the firstpredetermined time.

In the switching regulator, a current flowing through the external loadmay be smaller in amount in the first operation mode than in the secondoperation mode.

In the switching regulator, the control switching part may extend thefirst predetermined time as a voltage difference between the first andsecond predetermined voltages increases.

In the switching regulator, the first and second switching elements, thepulse-frequency-modulation control circuit, the pulse-width-modulationcontrol circuit, the switching circuit, and the dummy load may beintegrated into a single integrated circuit.

The invention further provides a switching regulating method. In oneexample, a switching regulating method includes: providing a controlswitching part and two switching elements, one of the two switchingelements being larger in ON-resistance and smaller in control electrodecapacitance than the other of the two switching elements; causing eachof the two switching elements to perform a switching operation inaccordance with a control signal input therein to control output of anoutput voltage; causing, in a first operation mode, the controlswitching part to perform pulse-frequency-modulation control over theone of the two switching elements to output a first predeterminedvoltage; causing, in a second operation mode, the control switching partto perform pulse-width-modulation control over the two switchingelements to output a second predetermined voltage higher than the firstpredetermined voltage; causing, in switching from the first operationmode to the second operation mode, the control switching part to performthe pulse-frequency-modulation control, increase the output voltage fromthe first predetermined voltage to the second predetermined voltage, andswitch the pulse-frequency-modulation control to thepulse-width-modulation control upon elapse of a first predetermined timeafter start of increase in the output voltage.

The invention also provides another switching regulating method. In oneexample, this switching regulating method includes: providing an inputterminal configured to receive an input voltage, and an output terminalconfigured to output a predetermined constant voltage as an outputvoltage to an external load; providing a control switching part andfirst and second switching elements, the second switching element beinglarger in ON-resistance and smaller in control electrode capacitancethan the first switching element; causing the first switching element toperform a switching operation in accordance with a second control signalinput in a control electrode thereof to control output of the outputvoltage; causing the second switching element to perform a switchingoperation in accordance with a first control signal input in a controlelectrode thereof to control output of the output voltage; causing thecontrol switching part to perform, in a first operation mode, thepulse-frequency-modulation control over the second switching element tooutput a first predetermined voltage as the output voltage; causing thecontrol switching part to perform, in a second operation mode, thepulse-width-modulation control over the first and second switchingelements to output a second predetermined voltage higher than the firstpredetermined voltage as the output voltage; and causing the controlswitching part to perform, in switching from the first operation mode tothe second operation mode, the pulse-frequency-modulation control,increase the output voltage from the first predetermined voltage to thesecond predetermined voltage, and switch the pulse-frequency-modulationcontrol to the pulse-width-modulation control upon elapse of a firstpredetermined time after start of increase in the output voltage.

The switching regulating method may further include: providing a dummyload configured to serve as a pseudo load through which a predeterminedcurrent flows; and causing the control switching part to connect thedummy load to the output terminal for a second predetermined time uponelapse of the first predetermined time.

The switching regulating method may further include: forming the controlswitching part with a pulse-width-modulation control circuit, apulse-frequency-modulation control circuit, a switching circuit, and acontrol circuit; causing the pulse-width-modulation control circuit toperform the pulse-width-modulation control over the first switchingelement; causing the pulse-frequency-modulation control circuit toperform the pulse-frequency-modulation control over the second switchingelement; causing the switching circuit to control output of the firstcontrol signal from the pulse-frequency-modulation control circuit andthe second control signal from the pulse-width-modulation controlcircuit to the control electrode of the second switching element;causing the control circuit, in the first operation mode, to stopoperation of the pulse-width-modulation control circuit and cause theswitching circuit to exclusively output the first control signal fromthe pulse-frequency-modulation control circuit to the second switchingelement; causing the control circuit, in the second operation mode, tooperate the pulse-width-modulation control circuit and cause theswitching circuit to exclusively output the second control signal fromthe pulse-width-modulation control circuit to the second switchingelement, and causing the control circuit, in switching from the firstoperation mode to the second operation mode, to stop the operation ofthe pulse-width-modulation control circuit, increase the output voltagefrom the first predetermined voltage to the second predetermined voltagewhile causing the switching circuit to exclusively output the firstcontrol signal from the pulse-frequency-modulation control circuit tothe second switching element, and operate the pulse-width-modulationcontrol circuit and cause the switching circuit to exclusively outputthe second control signal from the pulse-width-modulation controlcircuit to the second switching element upon elapse of the firstpredetermined time after the start of increase in the output voltage.

The switching regulating method may further include providing a dummyload configured to serve as a pseudo load through which a predeterminedcurrent flows; and causing the control circuit to connect the dummy loadto the output terminal for a second predetermined time upon elapse ofthe first predetermined time.

The switching regulating method may further include making an amount ofcurrent flowing through the external load smaller in the first operationmode than in the second operation mode.

The switching regulating method may further include causing the controlswitching part to extend the first predetermined time as a voltagedifference between the first and second predetermined voltagesincreases.

The switching regulating method may further include integrating thefirst and second switching elements, the pulse-frequency-modulationcontrol circuit, the pulse-width-modulation control circuit, theswitching circuit, and the dummy load into a single integrated circuit.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A more complete appreciation of the disclosure and many of theadvantages thereof are readily obtained as the same becomes betterunderstood by reference to the following detailed description whenconsidered in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a circuit diagram illustrating a configuration of a backgroundswitching regulator;

FIG. 2 is a timing diagram illustrating a waveform pattern of an outputvoltage output from the background switching regulator of FIG. 1 when adriving mode is switched from a light-load driving mode to a normaldriving mode;

FIG. 3 is a circuit diagram illustrating a configuration of a switchingregulator according to an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 4A is a timing diagram illustrating a waveform pattern of an outputvoltage output from the switching regulator of FIG. 3 when the drivingmode is switched from the light-load driving mode to the normal drivingmode;

FIG. 4B is a timing diagram illustrating a waveform pattern of an outputcurrent output from the switching regulator of FIG. 3 when the drivingmode is switched from the light-load driving mode to the normal drivingmode; and

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of a control circuitprovided in the switching regulator of FIG. 3.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In describing preferred embodiments illustrated in the drawings,specific terminology is employed for the purpose of clarity. However,the disclosure of this patent specification is not intended to belimited to the specific terminology so used and it is to be understoodthat substitutions for each specific element can include any technicalequivalents that operate in a similar manner.

Referring now to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals designateidentical or corresponding parts throughout the several views, FIG. 3illustrates a circuit diagram illustrating a configuration of aswitching regulator according to an embodiment of the invention.

The switching regulator 1 of FIG. 3 includes an input terminal IN, anoutput terminal OUT, an inductor L1, a capacitor C1, a reference voltagegeneration circuit (RVGC) 2, an error amplifier circuit (EAC) 3, a PWMcontrol circuit (PWMC) 4, a PFM control circuit (PFMC) 5, an overcurrentprotection circuit (OPC) 6, a dummy load (DL) 7, an oscillation circuit(OSC) 8, a control circuit (CC) 10, a first switching element Ml, asynchronous rectifying switching element Mla, a second switching elementM2, a diode D1, output voltage detection resistors R1 and R2, a firstswitch SW1, a second switch SW2, and terminals LX, ECO, FB, and GD. TheGD terminal is connected to the ground (GND). The PWM control circuit 4includes a PWM circuit 11 (PWM) and a drive circuit (DC) 12. The firstswitch SW1 includes a common terminal COM which is connected to eitherone of a PFM terminal and a PWM terminal. In this switching regulator 1,the components as described above excluding the inductor L1, thecapacitor C1, and the control circuit 10, are integrated into a singleIC (integrated circuit) 13.

Connected to the load LO, the switching regulator 1 receives an inputvoltage Vdd input at the input terminal IN from the direct-current powersource BAT, generates a predetermined constant voltage, and outputs thegenerated predetermined constant voltage from the output terminal OUT asan output voltage Vo.

The first switching element M1 is a PMOS (P-channel metal oxidesemiconductor) transistor, which performs a switching operation tocontrol output of the input voltage Vdd. The synchronous rectifyingswitching element M1 a is an NMOS (N-channel metal oxide semiconductor)transistor, which performs a synchronous rectification operation. Thesecond switching element M2 is a PMOS transistor, which is smaller intransistor size than the first switching element M1 and controls outputof the input voltage Vdd. Further, the second switching element M2 islarger in the ON-resistance and smaller in the gate capacitance than thefirst switching element M1. The diode D1 parasitically resides between asource and a drain of the synchronous rectifier switching element M1 a.

The inductor L1 and the capacitor C1 form a smoothing circuit. Theresistors R1 and R2 divide the output voltage Vo to generate and outputa divided voltage VFB to the error amplifier circuit 3. A connectionpoint between the resistors R1 and R2 is connected to an inverting inputterminal of the error amplifier circuit 3, while a reference voltageVref is input at a non-inverting input terminal of the error amplifiercircuit 3. The signal Err is output from the error amplifier circuit 3to the PFM control circuit 5 and an inverting input terminal of the PWMcircuit 11 which serves as a comparator.

The reference voltage generation circuit 2 generates the referencevoltage Vref in accordance with a voltage setting signal VS input fromthe control circuit 10, and outputs the thus generated reference voltageVref to the error amplifier circuit 3. Then, the error amplifier circuit3 compares the reference voltage Vref with the divided voltage VFB, andoutputs a signal Err having a voltage in accordance with a result of thecomparison.

Based on the signal Err output from the error amplifier circuit 3, thePWM control circuit 4 performs the PWM control over the first switchingelement M1 and the synchronous rectifying switching element M1 a so asto control switching thereof. Similarly, based on the signal Err outputfrom the error amplifier circuit 3, the PFM control circuit 5 performsthe PFM control over the second switching element M2.

As described above, the PWM control circuit 4 includes the PWM circuit11 and the drive circuit 12. A triangular wave signal TW output from theoscillator circuit 8 is input in the PFM control circuit 5 and anon-inverting input terminal of the PWM circuit 11. Based on the signalErr output from the error amplifier circuit 3 and the triangular wavesignal TW output from the oscillator circuit OSC 8, the PWM circuit 11generates and outputs a pulse signal SPW, which is used in performingthe PWM control. The pulse signal SPW output from the PWM circuit 11 isinput in the drive circuit 12, and a pulse signal Spf output from thePFM control circuit 5 is input in the PPM terminal of the first switchSW1.

In accordance with the pulse signal SPW input from the PWM circuit 11,the drive circuit 12 generates a control signal PD, which is used inperforming switching control of the first switching element M1, and acontrol signal ND, which is used in performing switching control of thesynchronous rectifying switching element M1 a. The control signal PD isinput in a gate of the first switching element M1 and the PWM terminalof the first switch SW1, while the control signal ND is input in a gateof the synchronous rectifier switching element M1 a. Accordingly, theswitching elements M1 and M1 a are operated, respectively.

The common terminal COM of the first switch SW1 is connected to a gateof the second switching terminal M2 so that the overcurrent protectioncurrent 6 monitors a current flowing through the terminal LX and outputsa result of the monitoring to the drive circuit 12.

The overcurrent protection circuit 6 detects a current flowing throughthe inductor L1 to determine whether the detected current exceeds apredetermined current amount to be an overcurrent. If the overcurrentprotection circuit 6 determines that the detected current is theovercurrent, the overcurrent protection circuit 6 causes the PWM controlcircuit 4 to turn off the first switching element M1 and the synchronousrectifier switching element M1 a. The dummy load 7 serves as a pseudoload through which a predetermined current is flowed. The oscillatorcircuit 8 generates the triangular wave signal TW having a predeterminedfrequency, and outputs the triangular signal TW to the PWM controlcircuit 4 and the PFM control circuit 5.

The control circuit 10 generates and outputs the voltage setting signalVS and switching signals FWS and DLS in accordance with a predeterminedsequence. According to the switching signal FWS output from the controlcircuit 10, which instructs switching of an operation mode, either oneof the control signal PD, which is output from the PWM control circuit 4to the gate of the first switching element M1, and the pulse signal Spf,which is output from the PFM control circuit 5, is input in the gate ofthe second switching element M2 by the first switch SW1. The secondswitch SW2, on the other hand, controls connection of the dummy load 7to the output terminal OUT.

The reference voltage generation circuit 2, the error amplifier circuit3, the PWM control circuit 4, the PFM control circuit 5, the oscillationcircuit 8, the resistors R1 and R2, the first and second switches SW1and SW2, and the control circuit 10 form a control switching part.

The reference voltage generation circuit 2, the error amplifier circuit3, the PWM control circuit 4, the oscillation circuit 8, and theresistors R1 and R2 form a PWM control part.

The reference voltage generation circuit 2, the error amplifier circuit3, the PFM control circuit 5, the oscillation circuit 8, and theresistors R1 and R2 form a PFM control part.

The first switch SW1 forms a switching part, and the control circuit 10and the second switch SW2 form a control part.

In the switching regulator 1 thus configured, the direct-current powersource BAT is connected between the input terminal IN and the terminalGD so that the input voltage Vdd is input from the direct-current powersource BAT to the input terminal IN. The load LO is connected betweenthe output terminal OUT and the ground.

The first and second switching elements M1 and M2 are connected inparallel between the input terminal IN and the terminal LX. Thesynchronous rectifier switching element M1 a is connected between theterminal LX and the ground. The inductor L1 is connected between theterminal LX and the output terminal OUT, and the capacitor C1 isconnected between the output terminal OUT and the ground. A connectionpoint between the inductor L1 and the capacitor C1, which is connectedto the output terminal OUT, is connected to the terminal FB. A seriescircuit formed by the resistors R1 and R2 is connected between theterminal FB and the ground.

The switching signal FWS output from the control circuit 10 is input inthe PFM control circuit 5, the overcurrent protection circuit 6, the PWMcircuit 11, the drive circuit 12, and the first switch SW1. Further, thesecond switch SW2 and the dummy load 7 are connected in series betweenthe terminal FB and the ground. The switching signal DLS output from thecontrol circuit 10 is input in the second switch SW2, and the secondswitch SW2 performs switching operation in accordance with the switchingsignal DLS.

In the switching regulator 1 thus configured, the switching signal FWSis used for switching between the normal driving mode (i.e., a secondoperation mode) and the light-load driving mode (i.e., a first operationmode) in which the device connected to the switching regulator 1 isoperated by a current smaller in amount than a current used in thenormal driving mode.

The control circuit 10 measures the amount of a current flowing throughthe load LO. When the control circuit 10 determines that the currentflowing through the load LO is below a predetermined current amount, thecontrol circuit 10 may output the switching signal FWS to switch thedriving mode to the light-load driving mode. Alternatively, the controlcircuit 10 may output the switching signal FWS when the device includingthe switching regulator 1 shifts to the stand-by state.

Description is now made on an operation performed in the switchingregulator 1 when the normal driving mode is selected according to theswitching signal FWS. In this case, operation of the PFM control circuit5 is stopped, and the amount of currents consumed by the PFM controlcircuit 5 is reduced or minimized. At the same time, the PWM circuit 11,the drive circuit 12, and the overcurrent protection circuit 6 operateso that the switching regulator 1 operates as a synchronous rectifierswitching regulator. Further, the first switch SW1 performs switchingoperation so as to connect the common terminal COM to the PWM terminal,and the control signal PD output from the drive circuit 12 is input inthe gate of the second switching element M2.

The first and second switching elements M1 and M2 thus performrespective switching operations, and when the first and second switchingelements M1 and M2 are turned on and the synchronous rectifier switchingelement M1 a is turned off, the inductor L1 is supplied with a current.Meanwhile, when the first and second switching elements M1 and M2 areturned off, the synchronous rectifier switching element M1 a is turnedon, and energy stored in the inductor L1 is discharged through thesynchronous rectifier switching element M1 a. A current consequentlygenerated is then smoothed by the capacitor C1 and output from theoutput terminal OUT to the load LO.

Further, the output voltage Vo output from the output terminal OUT isdivided by the output voltage detection resistors R1 and R2, and thedivided voltage VFB is input in the inverting input terminal of theerror amplifier circuit 3. The reference voltage Vref is input in thenon-inverting input terminal of the error amplifier circuit 3, and adifference in voltage between the divided voltage VFB and the referencevoltage Vref is amplified by the error amplifier circuit 3 and output tothe inverting input terminal of the PWM circuit 11. The triangular wavesignal TW output from the oscillator circuit 8 is input in thenon-inverting input terminal of the PWM circuit 11, and the PWM circuit11 outputs the PWM-controlled pulse signal SPW to the drive circuit 12.

When the output voltage Vo output from the switching regulator 1 isincreased, the signal Err output from the error amplifier circuit 3decreases, so that a duty cycle of the pulse signal SPW output from thePWM circuit 11 is reduced. As a result, time during which the first andsecond switching elements M1 and M2 are in an ON state is shortened, sothat the output voltage Vo output from the switching regulator 1 iscontrolled to be reduced. When the output voltage Vo output from theswitching regulator 1 decreases, an inverse operation to the operationdescribed above is performed. As a result, the output voltage Vo outputfrom the switching regulator 1 is controlled to be constant.

Further, the overcurrent protection circuit 6 compares a predeterminedvoltage with each of voltage drops occurring in the first and secondswitching elements M1 and M2 while the first and second switchingelements M1 and M2 are in the ON state. When the value of the voltagedrop exceeds the predetermined voltage, the overcurrent protectioncircuit 6 outputs a predetermined signal to stop operation of the drivecircuit 12. When the drive circuit 12 stops operation, the drive circuit12 shifts a level of the control signal PD to a relatively high leveland a level of the control signal ND to a relatively low level, so thatthe first and second switching elements M1 and M2 and the synchronousrectifier switching element M1 a are turned off. Accordingly, supply ofan output current from the output terminal OUT is stopped.

Description is then made on an operation performed in the switchingregulator 1 when the light-load driving mode is selected according tothe switching signal FWS. In this case, the PFM control circuit 5 isoperated. Meanwhile, the PWM circuit 11, the drive circuit 12, and theovercurrent protection current 6 are stopped in operation, and currentsconsumed by the PWM circuit 11, the drive circuit 12, and theovercurrent protection current 6 are reduced or minimized. Further, thefirst switch SW1 performs a switching operation such that the commonterminal COM is connected to the PFM terminal, and the PFM-controlledpulse signal Spf output from the PFM control circuit 5 is input in thegate of the second switching element M2. Then, the second switchingelement M2 performs a switching operation in accordance with the pulsesignal Spf output from the PFM control circuit 5. In this state, theoperation of the drive circuit 12 is stopped. Therefore, the synchronousrectifier switching element M1 a stays in an OFF state. Accordingly, theenergy stored in the inductor L1 is discharged via the diode D1, whichparasitically resides between the source and the drain of thesynchronous rectifier switching element M1 a.

With reference to timing diagrams of FIGS. 4A and 4B and the flowchartof FIG. 5, description is made of an operation performed in theswitching regulator 1 when the driving mode switches from the light-loaddriving mode to the normal driving mode. Steps S1 to S7 indicated in thetime charts of FIGS. 4A and 4B correspond to Steps S1 to S7 of theflowchart of FIG. 5.

At Step S1, the light-load driving mode is selected. Therefore, thecontrol circuit 10 sets the voltage value of the reference voltage Vrefby sending the voltage setting signal VS to the reference voltagegeneration circuit 2 so that the output voltage Vo is equalized with aconstant voltage Vo1. Further, the control circuit 10 issues theswitching signal FWS to cause the switching regulator 1 to perform thePFM control, and issues the switching signal DLS to turn off the secondswitch SW2 and bring the second switch SW2 into non-conduction.

At Step S2, prior to cancellation of the light-load driving mode, thecontrol circuit 10 sets the voltage value of the reference voltage Vrefby sending the voltage setting signal VS to the reference voltagegeneration circuit 2 so that the output voltage Vo increases from theconstant voltage Vo1 to a constant voltage Vo2. As a result, the outputvoltage Vo starts to increase from the constant voltage Vo1 to theconstant voltage Vo2, as illustrated in FIG. 4A.

At Step S3, the control circuit 10 is in the stand-by state during apredetermined time period T1 in which the output voltage Vo completelyreaches the constant voltage Vo2. The predetermined time period T1 maybe a fixed value or may be changed in accordance with a differencevoltage between the constant voltages Vo1 and Vo2.

At Step S4, after the predetermined time peiod T1 has elapsed, thecontrol circuit 10 outputs the switching signal FWS to cause theswitching regulator 1 to switch from the PFM control to the PWM control.Accordingly, the operation mode of the switching regulator 1 is changedto the PWM control. At the same time, the control circuit 10 outputs theswitching signal DLS to turn on the second switch SW2 and bring thesecond switch SW2 into conduction. As a result, the second switch SW2 isturned on, and the dummy load 7 is connected between the output terminalOUT and the ground.

The dummy load 7 is thus connected for the following reasons. First,when the switching regulator 1 shifts from the PFM control to the PWMcontrol, the load LO is not yet in the normal driving mode. Therefore,the amount of currents flowing through the load LO in this state is notsubstantially different from the amount of the currents flowing throughthe load LO in the light-load driving mode. That is, the amount ofcurrents flowing through the load LO in the present state issubstantially small. Further, even the reference voltage Vref staysunchanged, the output voltage Vo is slightly different between a statein which the PFM control is performed and a state in which the PWMcontrol is performed. If the output voltage Vo output under the PFMcontrol is higher, even only slightly, than the output voltage Vo outputunder the PWM control, the first and second switching elements M1 and M2are both turned off immediately after the PFM control has switched tothe PWM control.

Furthermore, since the currents flowing through the load Lo issubstantially small, as described above, the output voltage Vo does notdecrease quickly. Therefore, the PWM circuit 11 performs an abnormaloperation such as a burst oscillation, and thus the voltage value of theoutput voltage Vo becomes unstable. To prevent such abnormal operation,the control circuit 10 connects the dummy load 7 to the output terminalOUT immediately after transition from the PFM control to the PWMcontrol. Accordingly, the output voltage Vo is promptly decreased to theconstant voltage Vo2 at which the PWM circuit 11 is normally operated,even when the output voltage Vo output under the PFM control is slightlyhigher than the output voltage Vo output under the PWM control.

At Step S5, the control circuit 10 keeps the second switch SW2 in anON-state to keep the dummy load 7 connected to the output terminal OUTfor a predetermined time period T2, which is longer than a time requiredfor which normal operation of the PWM control circuit 4 has beenensured. After the predetermined time period T2 has elapsed (YES at StepS5), the control circuit 10 outputs the switching signal DLS to turn offthe second switch SW2 and bring the second switch SW2 intonon-conduction. Accordingly, the connection of the dummy load 7 to theoutput terminal OUT is cut off (Step S6). In this manner, the controlcircuit 10 completes a process of switching from the light-load drivingmode to the normal driving mode. Accordingly, at Step S7, the switchingregulator 1 performs the PWM control and the output voltage Vo ischanged to the constant voltage Vo2.

As described above, in the switching regulator according to the presentembodiment, when the driving mode switches from the light-load drivingmode to the normal driving mode, the output voltage Vo is increased upto the predetermined voltage Vo2 under the PFM control, and the PFMcontrol is switched to the PWM control after the output voltage Vo hasreached the predetermined voltage Vo2. Accordingly, the switchingregulator can supply the output voltage without generating the overshootvoltage.

The above-described embodiments are illustrative, and numerousadditional modifications and variations are possible in light of theabove teachings. For example, elements and/or features of differentillustrative and exemplary embodiments herein may be combined with eachother and/or substituted for each other within the scope of thisdisclosure and appended claims. It is therefore to be understood thatwithin the scope of the appended claims, the disclosure of this patentspecification may be practiced otherwise than as specifically describedherein.

This application is based on and claims priority to Japanese patentapplication No. 2004-031607 filed on Apr. 27, 2004 in the Japan PatentOffice, the entire contents of which are incorporated by referenceherein.

1. A switching regulator comprising: two switching elements eachconfigured to perform a switching operation in accordance with a controlsignal input therein to control output of an output voltage, one of thetwo switching elements being larger in ON-resistance and smaller incontrol electrode capacitance than the other of the two switchingelements; and a control switching part configured to performpulse-frequency-modulation control over the one of the two switchingelements to output a first predetermined voltage in a first operationmode, to perform pulse-width-modulation control over the two switchingelements to output a second predetermined voltage higher than the firstpredetermined voltage in a second operation mode, and to switch thefirst operation mode to the second operation mode by performing thepulse-frequency-modulation control, increasing the output voltage fromthe first predetermined voltage to the second predetermined voltage, andswitching the pulse-frequency-modulation control to thepulse-width-modulation control upon elapse of a first predetermined timeafter start of increase in the output voltage.
 2. A switching regulatorcomprising: an input terminal configured to receive an input voltage; anoutput terminal configured to output a predetermined constant voltage asan output voltage to an external load; a first switching elementconfigured to perform a switching operation in accordance with a firstcontrol signal input in a control electrode thereof to control output ofthe output voltage; a second switching element configured to be largerin ON-resistance and smaller in control electrode capacitance than thefirst switching element, and to perform a switching operation inaccordance with a second control signal input in a control electrodethereof to control output of the output voltage; and a control switchingpart configured to perform the pulse-frequency-modulation control overthe second switching element to output a first predetermined voltage asthe output voltage in a first operation mode, to perform thepulse-width-modulation control over the first and second switchingelements to output a second predetermined voltage higher than the firstpredetermined voltage as the output voltage in a second operation mode,and to switch the first operation mode to the second operation mode byperforming the pulse-frequency-modulation control, increasing the outputvoltage from the first predetermined voltage to the second predeterminedvoltage, and switching the pulse-frequency-modulation control to thepulse-width-modulation control upon elapse of a first predetermined timeafter start of increase in the output voltage.
 3. The switchingregulator as described in claim 2, further comprising: a dummy loadconfigured to serve as a pseudo load through which a predeterminedcurrent flows; wherein the control switching part is configured toconnect the dummy load to the output terminal for a second predeterminedtime upon elapse of the first predetermined time.
 4. The switchingregulator as described in claim 2, wherein the control switching partcomprises: a pulse-width-modulation control circuit configured toperform the pulse-width-modulation control over the first switchingelement; a pulse-frequency-modulation control circuit configured toperform the pulse-frequency-modulation control over the second switchingelement; a switching circuit configured to control output of the secondcontrol signal from the pulse-frequency-modulation control circuit andthe first control signal from the pulse-width-modulation control circuitto the control electrode of the second switching element; and a controlcircuit configured to stop, in the first operation mode, operation ofthe pulse-width-modulation control circuit and cause the switchingcircuit to exclusively output the second control signal from thepulse-frequency-modulation control circuit to the second switchingelement, to operate, in the second operation mode, thepulse-width-modulation control circuit and cause the switching circuitto exclusively output the first control signal from thepulse-width-modulation control circuit to the second switching element,and to stop, in switching from the first operation mode to the secondoperation mode, the operation of the pulse-width-modulation controlcircuit, increase the output voltage from the first predeterminedvoltage to the second predetermined voltage while causing the switchingcircuit to exclusively output the second control signal from thepulse-frequency-modulation control circuit to the second switchingelement, and operate the pulse-width-modulation control circuit andcause the switching circuit to exclusively output the first controlsignal from the pulse-width-modulation control circuit to the secondswitching element upon elapse of the first predetermined time after thestart of increase in the output voltage.
 5. The switching regulator asdescribed in claim 4, further comprising: a dummy load configured toserve as a pseudo load through which a predetermined current flows;wherein the control circuit is configured to connect the dummy load tothe output terminal for a second predetermined time upon elapse of thefirst predetermined time.
 6. The switching regulator as described inclaim 2, wherein a current flowing through the external load is smallerin amount in the first operation mode than in the second operation mode.7. The switching regulator as described in claim 2, wherein the controlswitching part extends the first predetermined time as a voltagedifference between the first and second predetermined voltagesincreases.
 8. The switching regulator as described in claim 5, whereinthe first and second switching elements, the pulse-frequency-modulationcontrol circuit, the pulse-width-modulation control circuit, theswitching circuit, and the dummy load are integrated into a singleintegrated circuit.
 9. A switching regulating method comprising:providing a control switching part and two switching elements, one ofthe two switching elements being larger in ON-resistance and smaller incontrol electrode capacitance than the other of the two switchingelements; causing each of the two switching elements to perform aswitching operation in accordance with a control signal input therein tocontrol output of an output voltage; causing, in a first operation mode,the control switching part to perform pulse-frequency-modulation controlover the one of the two switching elements to output a firstpredetermined voltage; causing, in a second operation mode, the controlswitching part to perform pulse-width-modulation control over the twoswitching elements to output a second predetermined voltage higher thanthe first predetermined voltage; and causing, in switching from thefirst operation mode to the second operation mode, the control switchingpart to perform the pulse-frequency-modulation control, increase theoutput voltage from the first predetermined voltage to the secondpredetermined voltage, and switch the pulse-frequency-modulation controlto the pulse-width-modulation control upon elapse of a firstpredetermined time after start of increase in the output voltage.
 10. Aswitching regulating method comprising: providing an input terminalconfigured to receive an input voltage, and an output terminalconfigured to output a predetermined constant voltage as an outputvoltage to an external load; providing a control switching part andfirst and second switching elements, the second switching element beinglarger in ON-resistance and smaller in control electrode capacitancethan the first switching element; causing the first switching element toperform a switching operation in accordance with a first control signalinput in a control electrode thereof to control output of the outputvoltage; causing the second switching element to perform a switchingoperation in accordance with a second control signal input in a controlelectrode thereof to control output of the output voltage; causing thecontrol switching part to perform, in a first operation mode, thepulse-frequency-modulation control over the second switching element tooutput a first predetermined voltage as the output voltage; causing thecontrol switching part to perform, in a second operation mode, thepulse-width-modulation control over the first and second switchingelements to output a second predetermined voltage higher than the firstpredetermined voltage as the output voltage; and causing the controlswitching part to perform, in switching from the first operation mode tothe second operation mode, the pulse-frequency-modulation control,increase the output voltage from the first predetermined voltage to thesecond predetermined voltage, and switch the pulse-frequency-modulationcontrol to the pulse-width-modulation control upon elapse of a firstpredetermined time after start of increase in the output voltage. 11.The switching regulating method as described in claim 10, furthercomprising: providing a dummy load configured to serve as a pseudo loadthrough which a predetermined current flows; and causing the controlswitching part to connect the dummy load to the output terminal for asecond predetermined time upon elapse of the first predetermined time.12. The switching regulating method as described in claim 10, furthercomprising; forming the control switching part with apulse-width-modulation control circuit, a pulse-frequency-modulationcontrol circuit, a switching circuit, and a control circuit; causing thepulse-width-modulation control circuit to perform thepulse-width-modulation control over the first switching element; causingthe pulse-frequency-modulation control circuit to perform thepulse-frequency-modulation control over the second switching element;causing the switching circuit to control output of the second controlsignal from the pulse-frequency-modulation control circuit and the firstcontrol signal from the pulse-width-modulation control circuit to thecontrol electrode of the second switching element; causing the controlcircuit, in the first operation mode, to stop operation of thepulse-width-modulation control circuit and cause the switching circuitto exclusively output the second control signal from thepulse-frequency-modulation control circuit to the second switchingelement; causing the control circuit, in the second operation mode, tooperate the pulse-width-modulation control circuit and cause theswitching circuit to exclusively output the first control signal fromthe pulse-width-modulation control circuit to the second switchingelement, and causing the control circuit, in switching from the firstoperation mode to the second operation mode, to stop the operation ofthe pulse-width-modulation control circuit, increase the output voltagefrom the first predetermined voltage to the second predetermined voltagewhile causing the switching circuit to exclusively output the secondcontrol signal from the pulse-frequency-modulation control circuit tothe second switching element, and operate the pulse-width-modulationcontrol circuit and cause the switching circuit to exclusively outputthe first control signal from the pulse-width-modulation control circuitto the second switching element upon elapse of the first predeterminedtime after the start of increase in the output voltage,
 13. Theswitching regulating method as described in claim 12, furthercomprising: providing a dummy load configured to serve as a pseudo loadthrough which a predetermined current flows; and causing the controlcircuit to connect the dummy load to the output terminal for a secondpredetermined time upon elapse of the first predetermined time.
 14. Theswitching regulating method as described in claim 10, furthercomprising: making an amount of a current flowing through the externalload smaller in the first operation mode than in the second operationmode.
 15. The switching regulating method as described in claim 10,further comprising: causing the control switching part to extend thefirst predetermined time as a voltage difference between the first andsecond predetermined voltages increases.
 16. The switching regulatingmethod as described in claim 13, further comprising: integrating thefirst and second switching elements, the pulse-frequency-modulationcontrol circuit, the pulse-width-modulation control circuit, theswitching circuit, and the dummy load into a single integrated circuit.